Funding Update

An end of year message from Light House CEO, Kelly Jeffs
November 20172017 has been one of the most challenging years Light House has ever endured, however, dwelling on the difficulties isn’t my focus here. I want to take this opportunity to recognise our amazing audiences as well as welcoming all those new visitors that have discovered our wonderful, packed programme of films, live theatre and events.
We are now reaching the end of the first year of our 5 year business plan which has focused on building relationships with local businesses who are beginning to recognise the importance of Light House to the city of Wolverhampton.
We’ve been a pivotal partner in festivals throughout the year, including Wolverhampton Literary Festival, Deaffest, Artsfest and most recently ‘Funny Things’ the Wolverhampton Comedy Festival.
We’ve attracted Channel 4 News, broadcasting their election special from our beautiful courtyard, we’ve celebrated sell out shows of ‘Oliver’ in partnership with Girls High School as well as launching the Black Country Chamber of Commerce Business Festival that takes place in 2018. Light House is also proud to announce our hosting of the Arts Council’s Creative People & Places national conference next year.
And…let’s not forget the brilliant accolade our Cinema & Operations Manager Jas Kapur has received as one of the Black Country’s ‘100 Masters’ for his services to cinema and projection.But, none of this would have happened without the hard work, passion and dedication of the Light House team, volunteers and Board of Trustees in addition to the critical financial support from our sponsors at Paycare, LWC, Connect Advertising, DIS Signage, Blakemore Foundation, Wolverhampton City Council,
University of Wolverhampton and Midlands Industrial Association. I would also like to thank all of our regular charitable donors who all know how important this income stream is to keep us alive.
I also wanted to share with you some of my own personal favourite films of the year, which include La La Land, Hacksaw Ridge, 20th Century Women, Moonlight, Free Fire, The Happiest Day in the Life of Olli Maki, The Olive Tree, The Midwife, Atomic Blonde, Una, and God’s Own Country. That’s just a handful as there were so many great ones to choose from. So Light House continues to be the cultural hub of Wolverhampton and the only independent cinema in the Black Country and long may it continue. I wish you all a very happy Christmas and new year and let’s all enjoy an exciting, film packed 2018!
Best wishes, Kelly

22 September 2017
Wolverhampton-based Paycare has stepped forward with an offer to help save Light House, by forging a strong partnership with the key cultural Wolverhampton venue.

Paycare has announced an offer of significant support in the form of partnership investment, which will enable the venue to continue to operate and build new audiences, maintain its current programme of contemporary films and streamed theatre shows, whilst developing family film seasons, new ideas and venue hire.

30 June 2017
A Letter from Light House’s CEO to our supporters
Hello to you

The Board of Trustees and I would like to take this opportunity to update you on the current status of your local independent cinema and cultural hub, Light House.
Since September 2016, the Charitable Trustees, myself and the team have been tirelessly working to ensure our future survival. This has been at times an extremely tough exercise but of course is all made worthwhile when we see our loyal audiences and user groups continue to actively enjoy what we have on offer.

We have developed a five year business plan that has incorporated cost cutting without compromising our well regarded customer service. We have launched a programme of ‘family films’ focusing around school holidays and introduced more matinee screenings across the week. This is working well to increase our occupancy levels as well as giving customers a greater range of films and viewing times to choose from. One of the most significant developments coming up will be lit signage installed on the cinema building in July which will of course help to increase visibility and footfall to Light House.

We are also forging stronger relations with local businesses and have attracted a significant donation from Paycare as well as other investment and have received support from our landlords, Midlands Industrial Association. All these factors are contributing to our survival strategy.

Light House represents a vital space for our community, acting as an engine of support for local economic growth, regeneration & social cohesion. We aren’t ‘just a cinema’. We enable many health and well-being groups to meet here and attract a wide range of other events and activities on a regular basis. Along with all this, we offer a fantastic array of art exhibitions displayed in our main gallery and this is done without any external local authority or Arts Council funding support.

These groups and activities support the local community and help to address in some cases, loneliness and isolation, especially amongst some of the older and more vulnerable members of our community.

A huge factor in supporting our turnaround has been generous individual giving donations received from you, the public. In the last financial year we received almost £16,000 in support either on-line through Crowdfunder & Localgiving.org, local Rotary clubs plus private & anonymous donations.
However, your help continues to be required and sadly, like most arts and cultural venues in this country, individual giving, sponsorship and donations are a critical part of our oxygen supply.

Your donations will continue to make a difference to support our running costs, keeping our ticket prices competitive and most importantly of all, your donations will enable us to continue offering our diverse programme of film, film education, art, culture, music and health & well-being events for you and your City of Wolverhampton. In addition, we would like to invest in updating our cinema & toilet facilities to improve your comfort and experience.

You can donate in a number of different ways:
Collection Boxes directly in Box Office
Online – https://localgiving.org/charity/lovelighthouse/
By Standing Order or becoming a ‘Friend of Light House – ask for a form at Box Office
We sincerely thank all those that have already donated, those who continue to regularly donate and to all those that have put on events in aid of Light House.